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Hope all our readers found some time this weekend to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful weather. Mother Nature was certainly in a very, very good mood!

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Anniversary

The period from February 3 to Feb-ruary 19 or so has historically been notorious for whopper snowstorms in the northeast U.S. The blizzard on February 11, 1983, the day before Bar-bara and Gary Mandarano’s planned wedding, also known as the Mega-lopolitan Storm, was the worst blizzard New York had seen in 40 years. Bar-bara and Gray were set to be married at St. Benedict's Church on February 12, 1983 with a reception following at Marina del Rey. With all flow of mass transportation stopped because of the storm the day before, and snow drifts everywhere the couple had to decide whether or not to go ahead with the wedding they had planned for two years. Marina del Rey couldn't have been better. They told us they had never canceled a wedding. They would do whatever we wanted and would have the wedding if they were given six hours notice. The couple decided to postpone the reception at the Marina until they returned from their honey-moon. They instead had a beautiful wedding on the date originally planned at the home of Joyce and Nic Mauro (Gary's sister and brother-in-law). The family took a sled to LoParino's deli, purchased food and scrambled to plan a wedding and reception. Just one vehi-cle was on the road. That man in the 4×4 was hired by Nic Mauro and the wedding was in place. The family dug out the home, the 4×4 picked up the bride's parents, Margie and Alex Roublick, one of their bridesmaids, Cathy Galdi and her husband, Pete, the flowers from Mesker’s and Fr. James McCarthy from St. Benedict's rectory. Everyone donned their wedding attire and the couple was married by Fr. McCarthy as a Fisher-Price record player played the Wedding Song, sur-rounded by about 35 family members, friends and some of their bridal party. The wedding was followed by a recep-tion in the Mauro's family room where the couple had their first dance and cut the cake. The next morning they left on their honeymoon exactly as planned. Their plane was the first to take off from JFK when the airport was reopened and took off on schedule. Af-ter returning from their honeymoon they "renewed" their vows at St. Benedict's Church and had their grand reception at the Marina del Rey. Sub-sequent to their wedding, that date seems to be a magnet to snowstorms. Since the weather is not their friend, the couple decided to renew their vows for their 25-1/2 anniversary. Having a sentimental connection to the Marina del Rey and after being treated so won-derfully the first time around, the cou-ple went back to the Marina. They hired the Marina's yacht the Lorianna for their party. The party was held on Sunday, August 3, 2008, on what every-one is calling the most beautiful day of the entire summer. Warm, dry and clear! The couple renewed their vows surrounded by their original wedding party, family and friends on the yacht. Barbara wore, and fit perfectly into, her wedding gown 25-1/2 years later! What bride gets to wear her gown three times? The yacht cruised to the Statue of Liberty with entertainment by Pepe and John Unplugged (Pepe Cardona and John Parisio from Alive N Kickin'). The party was perfect in every way. Just as on that snowy night in 1983, they couple was surrounded by loved ones as they pledged their continued love to one another and renewed their vows. What a day! Here's to the next 25 years!

Community Team Works

Goldman, Sachs and Co. part-nered with the Throggs Neck Memo-rial American Legion Post #1456 and ran a barbecue on June 13, 2008. The project was Community Team Works. The guests included clients from A.H.R.C., veterans from the Bronx VA Hospital, and the FDNY. Everyone would like to thank Gold-man, Sachs and Co. for a great time and their generosity.

Dean’s List

Robert Belfiore, a resident of Throggs Neck, was named to the Dean’s List of Fairfield University. Robert is majoring in, or intends to major in mechanical engineering.

Wedding

Nicole Marie Neal and Dr. Chris-topher Russo were married on August 2, 2008. The ceremony Mass was cele-brated by Fr. Grippo at St. Theresa Church and their reception was at the Marina del Rey. After their honeymoon to Hawaii, the couple will reside in Denver, Colorado. We wish you both the best. Love, Mom, Dad, Steven and Vanessa.